Septic Re-inspections
Water Quality Depends on Good Septics
Run-off from faulty septic systems is a major cause of pollution in our lakes.
Faulty systems release harmful bacteria into water, posing a threat to human health. And they leach nutrients into the lakes, “fertilizing” the growth of excessive algae and aquatic plants.
Based on the findings of re-inspection programs elsewhere, there’s no doubt that old and inadequate septic systems, holding tanks and privies are polluting our lakes. This is why Environment Council continues to advocate for septic re-inspection by all of our surrounding townships. And why we are ramping up our efforts to inform waterfront owners about the importance of good septic system practices.
Faulty septics threaten human health
Failed or damaged septic systems can contaminate soil, groundwater, wells, streams and lakes. Nitrates from faulty septics can leach into the surrounding soil and penetrate hundreds of feet into groundwater. This is a danger to human and animal health because nitrates can interfere with the body’s ability to carry oxygen. Phosphorus and nitrogen from septics also cause excessive growth of aquatic plants and algae, including dangerous blue-green algae, which affects virtually all uses of lake water and can cause serious illness. To learn more about this, click on Algae on the menu bar under Water Quality.
Bacteria, such as E. coli, leaching from septics can cause a number of illnesses. Swimming or playing in contaminated lake water can result in eye infections, dysentery or hepatitis..
Research Shows Many Septics Need Work
Our septic task team has reviewed the results of many other re-inspection programs in cottage country. These results show that about five percent of systems re-inspected need to have the septic tank and field replaced, and 20 to 30 percent need to be pumped and/or repaired. Our lakes have many older and water access cottages, so many septic systems and holding tanks (not to mention privies) may be older than average. This means the proportion of faulty systems may be higher than in other locations.
Septic systems can falter or fail for many reasons:
improper design or construction, or improper use and maintenance;
overloading, because they are too small or haven’t been pumped;
tanks may corrode and leak, have worn or missing baffles, become clogged with too much tissue or tree roots, or malfunction because foreign objects or chemicals have been put down the drain;
weeping tile fields may become blocked by tree roots or compacted by vehicles.